Afridi not coming to Hampshire

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan allrounder, will now not join Hampshire for the Friend Life t20 due to ongoing problems in obtaining a visa. He was delayed in arriving for the start of the competition but Hampshire will not be without him for the final three matches of their campaign.

Afridi had planned to fly direct from Pakistan's one-day tour of Sri Lanka to the UK but problems in completing his visa application while on tour meant he was forced to fly back to Pakistan. Further complications have ended his chance of joining up with Hampshire.

"Although Shahid will not be returning this time around, the door is still open for him to return to Hampshire in future years should circumstances suit both parties," Giles White, Hampshire manager, said. "He obviously had a huge impact for us last year and has been missed. However, we are now deep into the 2012 competition and the side is settled so we don't feel it is right to change that now."

Afridi enjoyed a highly successful stay with Hampshire in 2011, taking 17 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 11.17. His replacement this season has been little-known Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell. He has been successful producing two hard-hitting half-centuries against Kent and Essex.